A short introduction to IB computer science, based on the theme 'Did we emerge from World War II a better society?' Your other subjects will be following the same theme: try to relate what you do in each subject to the others. The induction period gives you the chance to reflect on whether you have chosen the right subjects and your teachers the chance to observe your strengths and weaknesses as an IB student.

Computer architecture, the processor, memory and storage, operating systems and application software, binary representation and simple logic gates. TOK themes include: 'if there are no consequences of data loss, why is it stored?', 'there is no such thing as persistent storage.' 'does binary represent an example of a lingua franca?' 'can machines think?' and reason as a way of knowing.

Network hardware and software fundamentals, including the types of network, data transmission, the need for protocols, VPNs, packet switching, data compression, wireless networking and network security. TOK themes include the nature of privacy and the need for freedom of expression, surveillance and security, personal freedom versus national security.

The
resources in a computer system and their limitations. Operating systems
and program control. TOK connections inclue the way the hiding of complexity and the
'black box' principle in technology moves users from their own reason towards faith in the technologist.

Control systems,
microprocessors, the input-process-output model, feedback, distributed
systems and autonomous agents. TOK connections inclue the ethics of who is responsible for
the actions of automated systems, can machines 'think' and is there a difference betwen thinking and reason?

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